| I was pretty nervous. I took one look at the wooden coaster and
my knees turned to butter. Noticing Jen's lack of anxiety I tried
to engage in the small talk that came so easy between us.
I was told the waiting lines at Knoebels Park in Elysburg, PA are rarely long. However, this one spanned clear to the Italian Ice stand....some 100 yards beyond the steps leading to the base of the wooden coaster. It was only a matter of minutes until we were at the first step leading up to the Phoenix, one of the "Top Ten Coasters In The World". My head felt like a balloon. Hey kids....$1.30 gets you a ride on the Floating Human Head. The Phoenix was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1947. Ironically...it was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It resided at Playland Park and was known as "The Rocket" until 1980 when the park shut down. Stepping into the last car I wondered how many young men had been as nervous in all those years since it's initial run in Texas. That was one heck of a ride. The big hills are steep enough...sure. But it's the camel backs that get you. Camel backs are sometimes referred to as speed bumps. A series of three hills, each slightly smaller than the preceding one is the normal camel back. The Phoenix doesn't stop at three. I don't think my Levi's were on the seat for more than 20 seconds of the ride. Then it was over. But I wasn't done with the Phoenix yet. I needed it's help. Knoebels bought the Rocket in 1984 and started putting it together...piece by piece in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the first time a coaster was moved in the modern era. The Phoenix opened on June 15, 1985, one day and 12 years before I first laid eyes on it. The day that changed my life. Jen didn't seem to mind that I wanted to get right back on the coaster....but we decided to try out the Antique Cars instead. As the car snaked along in tortoise like fashion....I could hear the rumble. I wasn't sure if it was the coaster or my teeth banging together. The old coaster's waiting line was just as long and fast the second time around. I had to keep my cool and get ready. The car enters a tunnel almost immediately. Pitch Black. Let me say that again. Pitch Black. I was afraid that if I tried to touch Jen's hand...it wouldn't be there. I would be alone....not only now....but forever. Then the June light hit my face and I heard the laughter and screams of the children in front of us. We wouldn't settle for anything but the back car this day. As the car started it's ascension I tapped Jen on the shoulder. It would have been quite comical to an observer. Then I thrust a small diamond ring in her face. I bought the ring that morning before driving Jen to Knoebels Grove. "Will you marry me"? The flume ride is another story for another day. We got that one on film. |
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